Information About Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer
Malignant mesothelioma is a serious, rare type of cancer that causes cancerous growths on the lining of the body's internal organs, including the lungs, heart and abdomen. Many patients develop malignant mesothelioma cancer after prolonged exposure to asbestos — a type of mineral commonly found in mining industries or insulation in buildings. Asbestos exposure has also been linked to several other types of diseases, including asbestosis, a lung condition that often leads to malignant mesothelioma.
There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma:
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Pericardial mesothelioma
- Peritoneal mesothelioma
About three-fourths of all mesothelioma cases are pleural mesothelioma, a condition that affects the lining of the lungs. Many health care professionals believe that workers who experienced prolonged asbestos exposure inhaled deadly asbestos fibers, which subsequently became lodged in the lining of the lungs. Many patients demonstrate chest pain, upper abdomen or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, cough and loss of appetite from pleural mesothelioma.
Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition that causes cancerous growths on the lining surrounding the heart. Less than 10 percent of mesothelioma patients demonstrate pericardial mesothelioma and doctors remain unsure of how the condition develops. Some researchers believe that as the asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, small pieces are absorbed into the blood stream and settle in the lining of the heart.
The last type of mesothelioma cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of mesothelioma patients develop peritoneal mesothelioma, causing patients abdominal pain, cough and shortness of breath. Because this is a less common form of mesothelioma, little research is conducted on the peritoneal mesothelioma cause. One theory about the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is that clouds of asbestos fibers settled on patients' food, causing them to digest asbestos. Others believe that workers in asbestos environments obtain asbestos fibers on their clothing, which is brought into their homes and can contaminate their kitchens.
Even with prompt mesothelioma treatment, the prognosis is typically poor for patients. Patients with pleural mesothelioma have an average of 242 days survival rate after mesothelioma diagnosis. The prognosis of mesothelioma relies of several factors, including the type of mesothelioma, the tumor size, the location of the tumor, the extent of symptoms reported, the patient's overall health, the available treatment options and the stage of the cancer. The average survival rate for cancer patients is five years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society.
Many patients who develop malignant mesothelioma after prolonged asbestos expoßsure file personal injury lawsuits against those who are responsible for the damages endured. A skilled personal injury attorney can help fight for victims' rights and earn them the compensation they deserve to offset the costs of medical bills, lost income, lost opportunities and emotional distress.
Because mesothelioma is a fatal condition, many victims are deceased. In these instances, family members or heirs of the victim can meet with a wrongful death lawyer to recover compensatory damages for funeral expenses, outstanding medical bills and other related costs.